REVIEW: BALANCE ME ROSE OTTO HAND CREAM

Firstly, I just want to say - this is the best hand cream I have ever tried. That is my own opinion. Nothing has influenced it. I genuinely love it.

I've never been one for 'hand care'. I bite my nails, I will happily thrust my hands into boiling water and place my palms on hot cooker tops. It goes with the territory of my job - some things just have to be done and so they've become second nature. I've never given it a thought... until now.

My step-mother told me the other day: 'People know, from the state of your hands, just what you do for a living and guess at how old you truly are-' before looking down at her own hands and sighing 'Everyone must think I'm 80 years old and labour for a living from the state of mine though.' If anyone is wondering she is actually a psychologist.

In a panic I picked up this hand cream and took it to work. I used it all day. I made my colleague, Rob, use it. I made the customers I like use it. They all said the same thing: 'Wow - my hands feel amazing!' (or words to that effect).

Balance Me describe this hand cream as 'richly moisturising and velvet-ifying' whilst stating that they have 'blended naturally active anti-oxidant rich Arctic cloudberry, soothing camellia and kukui nut oils with super smoothing organic shea butter.' They say that their 'fragrant rose smoothing essential oil blend softens, brightens and treats the skin on your hands to a daily dose of velvet-ifying goodness!'

I can tell you that my hands have never felt so smooth or soft. The fragrance is out of this world - even when Rob went to get the newspapers for the pub ten minutes after he applied it the lady in WHSmith commented on the scent asking him what it was and where he got it (being a bloke he just said 'It's a hand cream Helen made me put on...' - men, eh?). It's non-greasy, sinks in lightening quickly and manages to keep my hands feeling and smelling amazing for a long time. A little of the thick white cream goes a very long way too.

The ingredients are 98.8% natural with absolutely no parabens, sulphates, petroleum, mineral oils, silicones, dea, pegs, propylene glycol, artificial fragrances or colours. I have no idea what half of that means but my younger brother, currently studying Chemistry at University, tells me that is a great thing.

Not only that, the founders of Balance Me have just been awarded the prestigious beauty honour of 'Members Achiever Award' by the organisation Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW), which is voted for by members of the organisation and aims to recognize women within the beauty industry that have helped advance other women within the organisation whilst demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities. In short, this is brand run by women that have been recognized as amazing.

Seriously - what is not to love? This hand cream is worth every single penny (maybe more?). It has all the luxury of a high-end brand but at an affordable price. I can't recommend it highly enough and I will definitely be purchasing this when my current tube runs out.

Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream* is available from John Lewis and the Balance Me Website: RRP £14.50.

Now I'm off to google 'Arctic cloudberry' as I, even though I have no idea what they are, I need to get me some.